The full extent of the injury to Monaghan captain Darren Hughes has been revealed.

The Scotstown clubman has been ruled out of Sunday's Ulster SFC showdown with Antrim in Clones due to calcification in his thigh, which means that part of the muscle there has turned to bone.

The 25-year-old admits in today's Irish News that the problem could end his career if not managed properly: "It is serious, even walking on it you're probably at risk.

"It can be career-threatening if it's not looked after. The physio said he cannot emphasise how careful I have to be with this injury. There is nothing out there that can cure it bar giving it time.

"I've asked if there is anything I can do, what remedies I could take, but Alan [Byrne, physio] works with the Irish soccer team and told me if there was something could be done for this injury, Man United would have found it when the same thing happened to John O'Shea.

"He was out for four months because he started to run on it and it got a lot worse before it got better. I have rested mine well and it is a realistic target for me to be ready for the end of June.

"There is no point moping because it's not about me - there is a job to do. Antrim are confident of turning us over.

"The way we are performing over the last 18 months we can't look beyond Antrim. At the same time, we have a good enough squad, even with the injuries, so we are optimistic." Tweet

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